SPRINGFIELD – State Senator John G. Mulroe (D-Chicago) issued the following statement on the governor’s address on the eve of the special session:

I question the governor’s call for unity and to work together to resolve the budget impasse when he spent the better part of the legislative session attacking the Senate’s efforts to compromise. The governor’s actions are not consistent with his words. Instead of giving speeches, he should be negotiating with the Senate and the House.

The Senate passed a balanced budget on May 23 that mirrors the governor’s spending that he proposed in his budget address in February. Our budget cuts $3 billion, includes revenues that were negotiated with Senate Republicans and many of the reforms the governor has asked for. Yet, he threatened to veto it.

I remain hopeful that the governor will sign a budget and that we can end the impasse.